Vocational Nursing Program

The ACC Vocational Nursing program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for an entry-level vocational nursing position in a medical office, clinic, HMO, acute care hospital, long-term care facility or other health care setting.

When you've finished all the coursework and passed the final exam, you'll be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) for licensure as a practical/vocational nurse, meeting the standards set by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) play a vital role on the health care team. The duties of an LVN include tasks such as:

• Recording vital signs
• Administering medications
• Collecting samples for routine labtests
• And many other important responsibilities

In ACC's dynamic curriculum, you'll also learn about important skills such as leadership, supervision and proper patient interaction.

The focus is on your success!
The goal of our program is to help you graduate with the confidence and qualifications to begin your career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

Vocational nurses work in a variety of health care settings. After successfully completing this ACC program and becoming licensed, you may choose to work in facilities such as:

• Physicians' Offices
• Long-Term Care Facilities
• Intermediate Care Facilities
• Home Health Agencies
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Acute Care Hospitals
• Private Practice

A few interesting statistics* about vocational nursing careers:

• Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
• A large number of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are expected to retire over the coming decade. Job prospects should, therefore, be excellent for licensed and experienced LPNs and LVNs.
• Many procedures that once could be done only in hospitals are now being done outside of hospitals, creating demand in other settings, such as outpatient care centers.
• With experience, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses can advance to supervisory positions.

A few places where graduates from various ACC programs have been hired:

Many area employers are very familiar with the quality of ACC's health care training programs and our school's track record for preparing confident, qualified professionals for rewarding careers. Our graduates have been hired by:

* Source: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm

The ACC Vocational Nursing curriculum is divided into four modules* approximately 13 weeks in length (20 weeks for evening/weekend). Each module is comprised of prescribed courses of study that build upon each other.

You will begin your training with an introduction to the role of the student nurse in the Vocational Nursing (VN) Program and the Nursing Profession. You will then progress sequentially until all modules have been successfully completed:

• Introduction to Client-Centered Care Module – Course material will introduce you to the concepts of nursing care of the surgical client, pre- and post-operatively. An introduction to Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition and Pharmacological consideration will provide you with the necessary foundation of knowledge that is needed for progression in the program.
• Care of the Client with Health Care Deviations I – This course sequence emphasizes the nursing intervention and the psychosocial aspects for the care of the client with an integumentary disorder. Selected clinical experiences will allow you to practice appropriate nursing skills. In this module, you will also study the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.
• Care of the Client with Health Care Deviations II – Coursework in this sequence will emphasize the nursing interventions and psychosocial aspects for the care of the client with a gastrointestinal, urinary, immunology/oncology and reproductive disorders. Selected clinical experiences will allow you to practice appropriate nursing skills.
• Advanced Client-Centered Care – Course material in this module covers such areas as obstetrics, pediatrics, the neurosensory system and mental health/rehabilitation specialties. Selected clinical experiences will allow you to practice relevant nursing skills.
• Nursing License Preparation – This review builds on previous learning in nursing theory, psycho-social sciences, basic statistics, nursing research and experiential learning as well as integrating the appropriate concepts of leadership, communication, research, the nursing process and critical thinking. The course is designed to recap and reflect on the program and prepare you to take and pass the Exit HESI examination, which is a graduation requirement for the Vocational Nursing program.

Once you have completed your ACC training, earned your diploma and passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) for licensure as a practical/vocational nurse, you'll have the qualifications necessary to provide basic medical care, working under the direction of registered nurses and doctors. As an LVN, your day-to-day responsibilities* may include:

• Monitoring patients' health—for example, by checking their blood pressure;
• Administering basic nursing care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters;
• Providing for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress.
• Discussing health care with patients and listening to their concerns;
• Reporting patients' status to registered nurses and doctors;
• And keeping records on patients' health.

You'll be on your way!
As you begin your nursing career, the ongoing development of your skills can create increased opportunities for advancement. Even after you are employed, ACC's Career Services team will remain committed to providing you with the resources, support and personalized assistance you need to keep your career on the fast track.